White nectarine tree named ‘NECTARCIEL’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree denominated ‘NECTARCIEL’ which has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet white flesh and slightly greenish at maturity time, and a red pigmentation into and around the stone cavity, and an attractive skin with a high percentage of luminous purple red blush on skin surface, on a red background.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘NECTARCIEL’.

This application claims priority of Community Plant Variety Right No. 2021/3102 filed on Nov. 30, 2021 (11/30/2021) which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The new variety named ‘NECTARCIEL’ is also known as 26.33.12.15 NB or ASF1807. Indeed, before giving a name to a new and distinct variety of fruit tree, a provisional reference is assigned, considering the references of a tree in orchard. This provisional reference is constituted firstly with the number of the parcel on which the tree has grown, then the number of the line, the tree number and finally the year of selection. Then before being named ‘NECTARCIEL’, the provisional reference of this white nectarine tree variety was 26.33.12.15, corresponding to the tree 12 located in line 33 of the parcel 26 and selected during the year 2015. The letters “NB” are related to the first letters of the type of tree in French (NB for “Nectarine Blanche”, that means “white nectarine”). Once the hybrid selected, the breeder assigned a clone reference that begins with the letters “ASF” followed by the year of selection and a number corresponding to the maturity order. The final name is only assigned once the application has been filed and the name approved after its publication in the official bulletin. For the variety ‘NECTARCIEL’, the clone reference was ‘ASF1807’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘NECTARCIEL’.

This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, semi-clingstone white and slightly greenish flesh fruits, generally with a red pigmentation around and into the stone cavity, for fresh market at the end of July or early in August in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘NECTARCIEL’ white nectarine tree originated from a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘NECTARCIEL’ variety results from a free pollination the white nectarine variety named ‘NECTARPERF’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,357) which was used as the seed parent, or female parent. Thus, the male parent is unknown.

The ‘NECTARCIEL’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a ‘INRA® GF677’ (non-patented) rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree, and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘NECTARCIEL’ white nectarine tree blooms during the last week of February or the first week of march near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. The blooming period is considered medium. However, it was observed that its date of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘NECTARCIEL’ ripens generally medium in the season, namely at the end of July. However, it was observed that its date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph showing a tree of the new variety ‘NECTARCIEL’ in orchard.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph showing a close view of the trunk of a tree in orchard.

FIG. 3 is also a color photograph showing a close view of the trunk of a tree in orchard.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at different development stages, and the reverse and side views of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety ‘NECTARCIEL’ also named ‘26.33.12.15 NB cov ASF1807’.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph which shows the upper and lower sides of leaves and different views of three typical specimens of the fruit of the new variety ‘NECTARCIEL’ also named ‘26.33.12.15 NB cov ASF1807’ at ripening time, one fruit having been cut in half with the pit being left in one of the halves for depicting leaves, fruit flesh, pit and pit cavity of the new variety.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph showing different views of the stone of the new variety ‘NECTARCIEL’ also named ‘26.33.12.15 NB cov ASF1807’ and the kernel of the stone.

The views of trees, flowers, leaves and fruits have been photographed in their fourth growing season (third year of production).

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the flowers, stones and fruits depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The trees, flowers, and fruits may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘NECTARCIEL’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are medium vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium; flowering starts at the end of February. The type of flower is showy (rosette) with medium petal size. Petals are pink. Leaf glands are present and round. The fruit flesh is white at complete maturity, and slightly greenish. The fruit flesh usually shows a red pigmentation into the stone cavity and radiating around the stone cavity. The fruit skin is medium thick, with a luminous purple red blush on a red background. The stone is semi-clingstone and its size is medium. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘NECTARPERLE’ white nectarine variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,548), the fruits of ‘NECTARCIEL’ usually ripen approximately during the same period. However, the fruits of the new variety ‘NECTARCIEL’ are more regular in shape, very round, compared to the fruits of the similar variety ‘NECTARPERLE’. Moreover, the fruit flesh of the new variety ‘NECTARCIEL’ is semi-sweet, sugary and aromatic, with higher tasting qualities in comparison with the fruit flesh of the similar variety ‘NECTARPERLE’.

Compared to its seed or female parent, i.e., the ‘NECTARPERF’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,357) variety, the new variety ‘NECTARCIEL’ ripens a month earlier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree, the following was observed on trees in their third growing season (second year of production) under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were ‘INRA® GF677’ (non-patented) trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

TREE

-   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large. The tree size the first year             was approximately 200 to 280 cm in height. The tree was             pruned during each following dormant season to a height of             approximately 250 cm. Current season shoots growth could             reach 80 cm in length. The tree size from the second year             (second and next years) reached a final height of 330 cm             including current season shoots length. The tree size is             consistently reduced to 250 cm the next years. -   Spread: Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The whole     orchard was oriented to a central leader organization, with tree     lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same     tree line. As a result, tree spread was about 100 cm and the orchard     contained 2500 trees by hectare. -   Vigor: Considered medium to strong. -   Productivity: Considered good to very good, and very regular. Fruit     set is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the     desired market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with     the prevailing climatic conditions and cultural practices employed     during the bloom period and is therefore not distinctive of the     present variety. A reduce vegetation, obtained with pruning or green     pruning, approximately 1 month or 1 month ½ before harvesting     fruits, significantly promotes fruit qualities, especially growth,     color and firmness. Moreover, contamination risks due to monilia or     rot are significantly reduced. ‘NECTARCIEL’ variety is not much     sensitive to cracking of pistil cavity, to cork formation into     peduncle cavity or to monilia. -   Bearer: Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered     homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1 year.     Thinning of 2 fruits out of 3 was necessary for the tree     valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during the years of     observation. -   Form: The ‘NECTARCIEL’ variety has naturally a semi-flared shape. -   Density: Considered dense. -   Hardiness: Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of France and     especially where the chilling requirement is between 700 and 1200     hours. More particularly, experimentations on the same orchard in     Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, with winter chilling     requirement below 7.2° C. comprised between 700 hours and 1200 hours     according to the specificities of the year, namely 1031 hours in     2012-2013, 777 hours in 2013-2014, 893 hours in 2014-2015, 718 hours     in 2015-2016, 825 hours in 2016-2017, 1017 hours in 2017-2018, 844     hours in 2018-2019, 706 hours in 2019-2020, 822 hours in 2020-2021     and 700 hours in 2021-2022 showed a good behavior of the tree in all     cases. No injury with temperatures as low as −12° C. in winter. Good     resistance to late frosts.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Approximately 48.0 to 54.0 millimeters in diameter when     measured at a distance of approximately 20.0 centimeters above the     soil level for trees on fourth leaf (or third year of production). -   Bark texture: Considered rough, with lenticels. -   Lenticels: Numerous lenticels are present. The number of lenticels     reaches 1.5 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size of     approximately 4.0 to 4.5 millimeters in width, and about 1.5 to 2.0     millimeters in height. -   Lenticel color: The lenticels show a beige color (RHS Greyed Orange     164 A or RHS Greyed Orange 164 B). -   Bark coloration: The bark has a brown to grey color (RHS Grey Brown     N 199 B or RHS Grey 201 A) darker than the lenticels color.

BRANCHES

-   Size: The branches are pruned to approximately 1.0 meter in length. -   Diameter: Average as compared to other nectarine varieties. The     current season shoots have a diameter of approximately 4.0 to 7.0     millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter of approximately     7.0 to 10.0 millimeters. -   Surface texture: Smooth for current season shoots and rough, with     lenticels, for mature branches, wood which is several years old has     furrowed appearance. -   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable, but the     crotch angles are generally 45 degrees from the horizontal axis for     current season shoots and 60° degrees from the horizontal axis for     two year's old branches. This particular characteristic is not     considered distinctive of the variety, however. -   Current season shoots: -   Internode length: Generally 20.0 to 25.0 millimeters.     -   -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered green (RHS             Yellow Green 145 A) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas             the upper part is darker and colored in brown to purple (RHS             Greyed Red 178 A), depending on the level on the tip and the             sunlight exposure. -   Mature branches: -   Internode length: Generally 22.0 to 26.0 millimeters. -   Color of mature branches: Brown (RHS Grey Brown N 199 B or RHS Grey     Brown N 199 A). -   Lenticels: Numerous lenticels are present on mature branches. The     number of lenticels reaches 4 lenticels per cm². The size of     lenticels is considered small on one year's old shoots and medium on     two-year-old shoots. The lenticel shape is stretched round with a     diameter of approximately 0.5 to 1.0 millimeter on one-year-old     shoots and a diameter of 1.0 millimeter on two-year-old shoots. -   Lenticel color: The lenticels on mature branches have a beige color     (RHS Greyed Orange 164 B or RHS Greyed Orange 164 C).

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered medium for the species. The ratio leaf length/leaf     width is 3.827. -   Leaf length: The medium length is about 160.75 millimeters with leaf     petiole. -   Leaf width: The medium width is 42.0 millimeters. -   Leaf form (in cross section): Concave. -   Leaf form: Lanceolate. -   Leaf base shape: Acute. -   Leaf tip form: Acute. -   Leaf thickness: Medium. -   Leaf color:     -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Yellow Green (RHS Yellow Green 147 A).         -   Lower surface.—A slightly lighter green (RHS Yellow Green             146 A) than the upper leaf surface color. -   Leaf texture: Smooth and glabrous on both upper and lower surfaces     of the leaf. -   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined. -   Mid-vein:     -   -   Color.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 C). The color may             evolve with maturity.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.5 millimeters. -   Secondary veins:     -   -   Color.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 151 A). -   Leaf margins: Slightly undulating. -   Form: Considered crenate. -   Uniformity: Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In this last     case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or two smaller     leaves (at least 50% smaller). -   Leaf petioles:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—About 10.0 to about 12.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—About 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.         -   Shape.—Grooved. -   Petiole color:     -   -   Upper petiole surface.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A or RHS             Yellow Green 144 B).         -   Lower surface.—A slightly lighter green (RHS Yellow Green             145 B) than the upper petiole surface color. -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium. Their length is about 1.0             millimeter and their width is about 1.0 millimeter.         -   Number.—Generally 2 glands per leaf.         -   Type.—Round.         -   Margins.—Smooth and regular.         -   Position.—Alternate on the upper part of petiole.         -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a             light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A). On older leaves, leaf             glands color turns to a brown (RHS Brown 200 A) color. -   Leaf stipules:     -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in             the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is             possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a             normal-size leaf and smaller ones.

FLOWERS

-   Flower buds:     -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are conic in shape. Their form is evolving until             blooming, with variable dimensions. Just before blooming,             floral buds are approximately 8.0 to 9.0 millimeters wide             and approximately 10.0 to 12.0 millimeters long. The floral             buds show a homogenous distribution on the trees.         -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of             the flower's buds, or calyx, or flower receptacle, is of             purple color (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A or RHS Greyed Purple             187 B) on its outer face. The inner face of the flower             receptacle is orange yellow (RHS Greyed Orange N163 B or RHS             Greyed Orange N163 C). The corolla, formed by the petals, is             generally of pink color (RHS Red Purple 65 B) on both faces.             Petals color shows an evolution until the end of flowering. -   Hardiness: The buds are considered hardy under typical central     Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions. No winter     injury was noted during the last several years of evaluation in the     central Pyrénées-Orientales departement, with winter temperatures as     low as −10 degrees Celsius in January. The current variety has not     been intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress, but the     variety showed a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up     to 42 degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and 30     degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer. -   Date of bloom: The blooming time generally begins early in March.     The first bloom was observed on Feb. 18, 2018. -   Blooming time: Considered medium in relative comparison to other     commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the Pyrénées-Orientales     departement, France. The date of full bloom is observed generally at     the middle of the blooming period. The date of bloom varies slightly     with climatic conditions and cultural practices. Thus, the full     bloom was observed in 2018, from February 18^(th) to February     28^(th), then February 24^(th) until March 3^(rd) in 2020, then from     February 24^(th) to March 4^(th) in 2021, and then from February     9^(th) to Feb. 23, 2022. -   Duration of bloom: Medium, approximately between 8 to 15 days. This     characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic     conditions. -   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy type of     flower. -   Flower size: Considered medium. Flower diameter at full bloom is     approximately 33.0 to 36.0 millimeters. -   Bloom quantity: Considered high, approximately 35 to 45 flowers per     meter, with a high rate of fruit set. -   Flower bud frequency: Generally 2 flower buds appear per node,     occasionally 1. -   Petal size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered medium. -   Length: Generally between 16.0 and 17.0 millimeters. -   Width: Generally between 16.0 and 17.0 millimeters. -   Petal form: Round-shaped. -   Petal count: Five. -   Petal arrangement: Overlapping. -   Petal texture: Smooth on both upper and lower surfaces of the petal. -   Petal color: At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is fully     opened, both surfaces of the petal are colored with a pink (RHS Red     Purple 65 B or RHS Red Purple 65 C) color when young, becoming     slightly darker until the end of blooming. -   Fragrance: Slight to moderate, floral fragrance. -   Petal claw:     -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a narrow form.         -   Length.—About 1.0 to 1.5 millimeters.         -   Width.—About 1.5 millimeters at the base.         -   Color.—The petal claw usually shows a pink color darker than             the petal color (RHS Red Purple 60 B). -   Petal margins: Generally considered slightly undulating. -   Petal apex:     -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally shaped as a wide             dome. -   Flower pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium and having an average length of             approximately 2.2 to 3.1 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 1.0 to 1.5             millimeters.         -   Color.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A or RHS Yellow Green 144             B). -   Calyx:     -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is             opened, the inner surface of the calyx, namely the flower             receptacle, is greenish yellow to yellow orange (RHS Greyed             Orange N163 B). The outer surface of the calyx is considered             of purple color (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A or RHS Greyed             Purple 187 B). -   Sepals: -   Sepal count: Usually 5 sepals.     -   -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine             pubescent texture.         -   Margins.—Smooth.         -   Size.—Medium.         -   Length.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Conic and round at the top.         -   Color.—The upper surface of the sepals shows a purple color             (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B) whereas             the lower surface of sepals is considered greenish (RHS Grey             Brown 199 A or RHS Grey Brown N199 A). -   Anthers:     -   -   Generally.— Medium in length, approximately 0.5 to 1.0             millimeter.         -   Shape.—Cordate.         -   Color.—Depending on the maturity stage, anthers are colored             with a red (RHS Red 53 A) to a yellow color (RHS Yellow             Orange 17C). -   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant and has a yellow color (RHS     Yellow 13 A or RHS Yellow 13 B) which may evolve with maturity. The     present variety is considered auto-fertile (self-pollinating). -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually 1.         -   Generally.—Average in size.         -   Length.—Approximately 13.0 to 15.0 millimeters including the             ovary. Generally equal to filaments in length when             considered without the ovary.         -   Color.—Considered green to light green (RHS Yellow Green N             144B or RHS Yellow Green 154 D) at the beginning of blooming             period.         -   Position.—The pistil is positioned above the stamens, or at             the same level as the stamen. -   Ovary:     -   -   Height.—Approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Green (RHS Yellow Green N 144C).         -   Pubescence.—Absent. -   Stamens:     -   -   Size compared to petals.—The size of stamen is smaller than             the size of petals.         -   Length.—Approximately 12.0 to 14.0 millimeters, usually             equal to the pistil length.         -   Color.—White (RHS White N 155 B) to pink (RHS Red Purple             62 B) depending on the maturity stage. -   Average number of stamens per flower: Approximately 30 to 38 stamens     per flower. -   Stigma:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.75 millimeter.         -   Color.—Greenish yellow (RHS yellow Green 151 B).         -   Shape.—Elliptic.         -   Position of the stigma compared to the anthers.—Above or             same level.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm in ripe conditions (shipping ripe). -   Date of first picking: Jul. 23, 2017. -   Date of last picking: The date of harvest varies slightly with the     prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘NECTARCIEL’ variety has a     mid-season date of picking, and a grouped maturity. The maturity is     grouped within 9 days and the harvest is generally performed in two     runs. Last known picking times carry on from Jul. 23, 2017 to Jul.     30, 2017, from August 17^(th) to Aug. 26, 2018, from July 25^(th) to     Jul. 31, 2019, from July 18^(th) to Jul. 26, 2020, from July 17^(th)     to Jul. 25, 2021, and from July 20^(th) to July 28^(th) in 2022. -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Homogeneous in size, size A to 3A. Considered             large. -   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 68.0 to 72.0 millimeters. -   Average axial diameter: Approximately 62.0 to 64.0 millimeters. -   Typical weight: Approximately 195.0 grams. This characteristic is     high dependent upon the prevailing cultural practices, and therefore     is not particularly distinctive of the variety. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Generally.—Round, regular and symmetrical. The fruit is             generally uniform in symmetry, viewed from the suture's             plane. -   Suture: -   Fruit suture: The suture is usually absent, or wide-mouthed and     slightly marked when present, extending from the base to the apex.     No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the suture line.     Not pointed. -   Ventral surface:     -   -   Form.—Smooth. -   Apex: Slightly depressed.     -   -   Mucron.—Absent.         -   Closing of the pistil cavity.—Very good. The pistil cavity             is not visible. -   Stem cavity: Average depth of the stem cavity is considered medium,     about 11.0 to 13.0 millimeters. Average width is between 15.0 and     18.0 millimeters, and the stem cavity is flared. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Considered medium and strong, and the skin             adherence to flesh is medium.         -   Texture.—The pubescence of the skin is absent. The fruit             skin is smooth.         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet, sugary.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed. -   Color:     -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is a luminous purple red (RHS             Greyed Purple N186 C). The purple red blush covers             approximately 80 to 85% of the fruit skin surface on a red             background (RHS Red 46 A) on approximately 15 to 20% of the             fruit skin surface. The percentage of the blush on the fruit             skin surface can vary and is generally dependent upon the             prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown.         -   Ground color.—The ground color covers approximately 15 to             20% of the fruit skin surface, and is considered red (RHS             Red 46 A).         -   Lenticels.—A few lenticels are present, which are very thin.             Approximately 1 lenticel is present per cm².         -   Shape.—Lenticels on fruit skin are small and round.         -   Color.—Lenticels on fruit skin are considered beige (RHS             Greyed Orange 164 D). -   Fruit stem: Medium in length, approximately 9.0 to 11.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters. -   Color: Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A). -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a long             shelf life.         -   Texture.—Firm to very firm, crunchy, melting, at harvest             maturity stage.         -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.         -   Aroma.—Considered present, with no further characterization.         -   Eating quality.—Considered good, sugary and aromatic.         -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is generally             superior to 16, with an average value at 16.5, and acidity             is very low.         -   Juice.—Juicy at complete maturity. The juice shows a cream             color (RHS NN155 D).         -   Brix.—The medium Brix is 16.5 degrees. This characteristic             varies slightly with the number of fruits per tree,             prevailing cultural practices and the surrounding climatic             conditions.         -   Flesh color.—The flesh is considered white to slightly water             green (RHS White 155 A), usually with a red pigmentation             (RHS Red 47 A) into the stone cavity and radiating around             the stone cavity on approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters.

STONE

-   Type: Semi-Clingstone, more or less semi-adherent depending on the     fruit maturity. -   Size: Considered medium for the variety. The stone size varies     significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and     prevailing growing conditions. -   Length: Approximately 21.0 to 26.0 millimeters. -   Width: Approximately 17.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 16.0 millimeters. -   Form: Elliptical. -   Base: Round. -   Apex:     -   -   Shape.—The stone apex is pointed. -   Stone cavity: Considered medium in size, approximately 13.0     millimeters with elliptic form and dimensions corresponding to the     stone's dimensions. -   Stone surface:     -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its             entire surface. Furrows are deeper and more oblate on             lateral sides.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and at the             apical tip. -   Ventral edge:     -   -   Width.—Narrow. Approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture. -   Dorsal edge:     -   -   Shape.—Grooved. -   Stone color: The color of the dry stone is generally considered     light brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 B or RHS Greyed Orange 164 C). -   Tendency to split: Splitting is absent. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered small.         -   Length.—Approximately 12.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 7.0 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 5.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Considered elliptical.         -   Pellicle.—The pellicle of the kernel has a short pubescence.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is brown colored (RHS Greyed Orange             N167 A). The almond, which is the seed of the kernel, is             white (RHS White 155 B) and has a sweet taste. The kernel             and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit maturity. -   Use: The subject variety ‘NECTARCIEL’ is considered to be a white     nectarine tree having a medium season of maturity, and which     produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively colored with     a luminous purple red. Fruits have semi-sweet taste and are     excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when at full     maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative qualities. Due to their     flesh quality, firmness and density, they can also be commercialized     as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example).     And they are also useful for both local and very long-distance     shipping. -   Keeping quality: Remarkable. Fruits have a slow maturation and a     long shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after     harvesting without alteration. After growth completion, fruits are     preserved more than one week. After harvest, fruits are well     preserved more than 2 weeks at 2.0 degree Celsius. -   Shipping quality: Considered very good. The fruit of the new white     nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin     damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and packing     procedures. Its resistance to handling during harvest and packing     and its long shelf life without alteration after harvest easily     permit 2 weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius. -   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities     were noted. The present variety is not very sensitive to Monilia or     rot. The pistil cavity is completely closed, generally without any     cork formation.

Although the new variety of white nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree named NECTARCIEL as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet white flesh and slightly greenish at maturity time, and a red pigmentation into and around the stone cavity, and an attractive skin with a high percentage of luminous purple red blush on skin surface, on a red background. 